Aiken, SC, September 10, 2025

News Summary

The Aiken Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department is hosting a free self-defense class for women in high school and college on October 8. Taking place at the Lessie B. Price Aiken Senior and Youth Center, the class aims to empower participants with essential self-defense techniques. Led by experienced martial artist Andy Watford, attendees will learn practical skills and build confidence in a supportive environment. Registration is open on the Aiken Parks and Recreation website.

Self-Defense Class for Women in Aiken Scheduled for October 8th

The Aiken Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department is offering a free self-defense class tailored for women in high school and college on October 8 from 7-8 p.m. at the Lessie B. Price Aiken Senior and Youth Center. Located at 841 Edgefield Ave. Northwest, this initiative aims to enhance safety awareness and teach practical self-defense techniques in a supportive environment.

Participants will learn various self-defense methods designed to equip them with essential skills for everyday situations and emergencies. The class will cover fundamental techniques such as blocking, chopping, striking, and kicking to defend against potential attacks. Attendees will also practice responding to sneak attacks and dispelling misconceptions about self-defense, which will help them build confidence and self-worth through the training experience.

Andy Watford, owner and founder of the Watford School of Karate, will lead the class. Watford brings over 50 years of martial arts experience and more than 40 years of teaching personal safety and self-defense. Previous classes have garnered positive feedback and demonstrated a high level of interest in this type of training, underscoring the community’s need for self-defense education.

Registration for the class is available on the Aiken Parks and Recreation website, allowing participants to secure their place easily. This program not only focuses on physical techniques but also emphasizes the importance of mental preparedness and situational awareness, which are critical components of personal safety.

Aiken is part of the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA), an area where various community improvement programs and services are available. Local nonprofits, in particular, play a vital role in addressing broader community issues, such as hunger crises and education initiatives. Aiken’s self-defense program adds to the community offerings aimed at enhancing public safety and personal empowerment.

As safety awareness continues to gain attention, programs like the upcoming self-defense class serve as valuable resources for women seeking to protect themselves. This course is an opportunity not only to learn practical skills but also to engage with other participants in a positive and encouraging space.

Key Information

• Date: October 8, 2023
• Time: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Location: Lessie B. Price Aiken Senior and Youth Center, 841 Edgefield Ave. Northwest, Aiken, SC
• Instructor: Andy Watford, with over 50 years of martial arts experience
• Registration: Available at cityofaikensc.recdesk.com/community/home

FAQs

Chart: Key Features of the Self-Defense Class

Feature	Description
Date	October 8, 2023
Time	7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location	Lessie B. Price Aiken Senior and Youth Center, 841 Edgefield Ave. Northwest
Instructor	Andy Watford
Focus Areas	Self-defense techniques, safety awareness, and confidence building

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Additional Resources

• WRDW: Women Can Get Free Self-Defense Training in Aiken
• WRDW Video: Free Self-Defense Training for Women
• Post and Courier: Self-Defense Karate Classes for Women
• Wikipedia: Self-defense
• Google Search: Self-defense Training Resources